Liverpool are reportedly set to make a shock bid for Manchester United midfield target Arturo Vidal, according to the Chilean newspaper El Mercurio.

The Juventus star has been a priority transfer target for the Red Devils as their new manager Louis van Gaal wants to add the 27-year-old to United's midfield in the ongoing transfer window. The Old Trafford outfit are readying a £42.5m club-record bid for Vidal's services.

However, Brendan Rodgers' side have now joined the race to seal a deal for the Chilean international and the Merseyside club are looking to trump Liverpool's arch rivals in signing the Serie A midfielder.

The Reds are looking to make a club-record transfer by willing to pay the Italian champions £42.5m for Vidal – the same fee, which United are also willing to offer for the player's signature. Liverpool allowed Luis Suarez join Barcelona for a fee thought to be around £75m.

The sale of the Uruguayan international has helped the Anfield club raise funds in adding quality players to their squad. Rodgers is looking to bolster his side for the next season as they return to the Champions League.

A chance to play in Europe could tempt Vidal snub United in joining Liverpool this summer. However, the Red Devils are willing to offer the Chilean £200,000-a-week – something that could be difficult for Liverpool to offer for him.

Last week, Juventus director Pavel Nedved admitted only a "high bid" from potential suitors will allow the Old Lady to part ways with their star player.

"Our strategy is clear; we want to keep all our best players, including Vidal and Pogba. We don't want to sell anyone, especially Vidal," Nedved told Tuttosport.

"Certainly, if there were a high bid for them, we'd have to think about it but we don't want to sell our champions. We want to be competitive in the Champions League and the only sales to be players who are not part of our plan."

Should Liverpool beat United in signing Vidal, his addition would bolster the Reds' midfield for the next season. At the same time, it will be a massive blow for Van Gaal's side in their continuous effort of signing the former Bayer Leverkusen man.